# Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth (*Spodoptera ornithogalli*) The Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth is a small, colorful moth with yellow stripes. It loves to flutter around gardens and fields, especially at night when it is most active. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Urban areas, Gardens, Fields ![Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Spodoptera_ornithogalli.jpg&width=800) Photo: University of Georgia Archive, CC BY 3.0 us · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spodoptera_ornithogalli.jpg) ## Appearance The Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth has mottled brownish-gray forewings often marked with a distinct, oblique pale yellow or creamy stripe. Its hindwings are usually whitish with a darker outer margin, making it visually distinct from many drab brown moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Spodoptera ## Interesting facts - Wow! Adult moths only drink sweet flower nectar and don't eat solid food! - Wow! Its fuzzy body helps it stay warm when the night air gets chilly! - Wow! The caterpillars can change color to match their food plants! - Wow! This moth has special "ears" to hear hungry bats flying nearby! ## Special abilities - **Camouflage Master:** Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth can disappear against tree bark because its mottled wings perfectly mimic natural textures and colors. - **Eating Machine:** Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth caterpillars can eat over 100 different plant species because of their powerful jaws that help them consume diverse vegetation. - **Night Navigator:** Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth can fly and find food in darkness because it uses highly sensitive antennae to detect flower scents. - **Army March:** Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth caterpillars can march in large groups because this helps them find new food sources quickly and safely. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-45 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult moths sip flower nectar, while their caterpillars are hungry plant eaters. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars eat plant leaves; adults drink flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Corn, Cotton, Alfalfa, Soybeans, Tomatoes, Cabbage - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Hunts flying adult moths. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Preys on caterpillars and moths. - **Parasitizes:** Trichogramma Wasp (*Trichogramma pretiosum*) — Lays eggs inside moth eggs. - **Eats:** [Corn](https://www.snappit.app/explore/corn) (*Zea mays*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. - **Eats:** [Cotton](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cotton) (*Gossypium hirsutum*) — Larvae consume cotton foliage. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch moths from a distance and don't touch them, as they can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth's wingspan? 30-45 mm ### How big is Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth? 15-20 mm ### How long does Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth live? 7-14 days ### How fast can Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth fly? 12 km/h ### What does Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth eat? Adult moths sip flower nectar, while their caterpillars are hungry plant eaters. ### Where is Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth usually found? Urban areas, Gardens, Fields ### How does Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Congress Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/congress-avenue-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District - [Lock and Dam No. 17](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lock-and-dam-no-17) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/natural-bridge-wildlife-ranch) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Binder Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/binder-park-zoo) — Michigan, US · Zoo - [Rolling Hills Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rolling-hills-zoo) — Kansas, US · Zoo - [Bracken Cave](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bracken-cave) — Texas, US · Natural Landmark [View all places to see Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/yellow-striped-armyworm-moth) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-striped-armyworm-moth)